DOHA (Qatar): World’s best squash players will be in the spotlight at the 19th Qatar Classic at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex from November 1 to 7.
46 players including the world’s top-eight are featuring at the prestigious tournament, one of the signature events on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour, which carries a total prize purse of $175.000 cash prize.
Players expected in Doha include defending champion and World No.1 Ali Farag, three-time champion and the World No.2 Mohammed El Shorbagy, 2016 champion and World No. 3 Karim Adbel Gawad, Tarek Momen, the 2017 finalist and the World No.5 Paul Coll.
Other stars on the card include Diego Elias (World No. 6), World No. 7 Marwa El Shorbagy and the eighth-ranked Simon Rosner, the 2018 finalist. The 2005 champion James Willstrop will also be strutting his stuff along with Grégory Gaultier, the 2011 champion who has been given a wildcard.
The event, being held against the backdrop of the global COVID 19 pandemic, is doubtlessly a testimonial to the undaunted spirit and passion of all the stakeholders for the sport.
All eyes will be on the top-ranked Mohammed ElShorbagy, who holds the enviable record of the only person to win three times at the tournament, as he embarks on the journey of making it four conquests.
The 28-year-old Egyptian has been in fine form this year, winning the Manchester open on September 22 after 192 days of recess due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His Manchester title was the 42nd PSA title of his career, moving him to fifth on the all-time squash win list.
Qatar’s most successful player and World No. 27 Abdullah Mohammed Al Tamimi will be leading the home charge alongside Syed Azlan Amjad (a wildcard entrant). Tamimi stunned the world with his superb performance at last year’s PSA Men’s World Squash Championship where he reached the Round of 16, narrowly losing to eventual champion Tarek Momen.
